Progressive Coalition Party and Jeong Bong-ju's 'Open Democratic Party'... Shaking Proportional Representation Election

Senior figures from civil society held a press conference on the morning of the 28th at Heungsadan in Daehangno, proposing the establishment of the Political Reform Alliance to block the Future Korea Party and complete political reform.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Progressive figures have launched the creation of a coalition party to counter the satellite party Mirae Hangukdang. Former Democratic Party lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju and others announced that they will form a separate party, not a satellite party of the Democratic Party. The political landscape is shaking.

The National Assembly of Sovereign Citizens, composed of senior progressive figures from various fields, held a press conference on the morning of the 28th at Heungsadan in Daehak-ro, Seoul, proposing the establishment of a tentative 'Political Reform Coalition.'

In their press statement, they said, "Electoral coalitions are commonly seen in politically advanced countries with developed party politics such as Europe and New Zealand," adding, "It is an inevitable choice to complete political reform against anti-reform forces. We will gather proportional candidates from parties agreeing on political reform under the tentative name Political Reform Coalition to contest the election." After the election, the elected members will return to their original parties.

Ha Seung-su, co-chair of the Green Party, who participated in the event, told Asia Economy in a phone interview that "the purpose of electoral system reform has been undermined due to the trick of the Mirae Hangukdang," and added, "For now, the elders are making the proposal, and later the positions of each party will come out and negotiations will be necessary."

He continued, "There has been no prior discussion with the Democratic Party or others. I believe the Justice Party will sympathize with the sense of the problem."

Lee Geun-hyeong, strategic planning committee member of the Democratic Party, responded to reporters' questions the day before about whether they would consider an alliance proposal from outside the National Assembly of Sovereign Citizens by saying, "If a proposal comes, we should consider it."

Also, Yoon So-ha, floor leader of the Justice Party, appeared on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' on the same day and said, "We have not thought at all about participating in the (pan-progressive coalition party)," but added, "However, we are also preparing ways to win through the alliance of progressives and reformers while maintaining principles."

Meanwhile, former lawmaker Jeong held a press conference that day and declared the formation of a tentative 'Open Democratic Party,' saying, "To win as a 'proportional party,' we will boldly discard the status of being a 'satellite party' of the Democratic Party." Former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Geun-sik joined as the preparatory committee chairman.

In a statement released under the name of the preparatory committee chairman, it said, "We will compete in clarity against the powerless Democratic Party, which is trapped in the illusion of centrism," and "We will ask who is more desperate and necessary for the success of the Moon Jae-in government and the success of the democratic camp."

It continued, "We propose to move forward unconditionally together with the various preparations within the democratic camp and the proportional party movements and their main forces."

Former lawmaker Jeong said, "I will not be included in the proportional list nor enter the National Assembly in the 21st general election," adding, "The Democratic Party is the root. Our aim is to be chosen by voters through competition in clarity with democratic values."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.